NHLPA and the Heart and Stroke Foundation join together for third straight year on NHLPA Beard-a-thon

April 30, 2013 – The playoffs are here and that means it is time for hockey enthusiasts from coast-to-coast to once again put down their razors and grow playoff beards for a good cause.

In what is now a yearly tradition, the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) and the Heart and Stroke Foundation have joined forces to encourage fans to participate in the NHLPA Beard-a-thonfor the third time. The proceeds raised during the initiative will go towards the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s life-saving research and programs.

Canadian hockey fans who are primed for exciting playoff action can raise the stakes by getting involved in the 2013 NHLPA Beard-a-thon at Beardathon.ca. The website provides everything they need to get started – they can sign-up to grow their own beards (real or virtual) and enlist the support of their friends, families, and co-workers.

“We are proud to team up with the Heart and Stroke Foundation again this year on the NHLPA Beard-a-thon,” said Mathieu Schneider, NHLPA Special Assistant to the Executive Director and former NHL player. “Connecting players and fans through the playoff tradition of growing a beard has been a great way to garner support for valuable research. We are looking forward to some heavy beard growth this spring!”

Fans can also pledge their favourite players. This year, over 25 NHL players are supporting the cause and growing hair because they care. For the full list of NHL players who are participating in the 2013 NHLPA Beard-a-thon, go to Beardathon.ca.

“NHLPA Beard-a-thon has become our annual hockey tradition at the Heart and Stroke Foundation and we are so pleased to be partnering with the NHLPA again this year to raise funds to support life-saving research and community programs,” says David Sculthorpe, CEO of the Heart and Stroke Foundation. “Whether they grow a beard themselves or pledge their favourite players, these hockey fans are helping us get closer to our vision of healthy lives free of heart disease and stroke.”

The participating NHL players who are fundraising while growing their playoff beards are also challenging their fans to join them. Exclusive prizes are available for those fans who get their beards on:

·Raise $25 to be entered into a draw for a chance to win 1 of 5 framed photos signed by an NHL player, and receive an NHLPA Beard-a-thon t-shirt, coupon for a medium pizza from Panago Pizza (first 200 fundraisers only), and a 7-day free trial membership for GoodLife fitness.

·Raise $250 or more to be entered into a draw for a chance to win a jersey signed by an NHL player, and receive a four-week trial membership for GoodLife Fitness (first 200 fundraisers only).

·Raise $1,000 or more and be entered into the grand prize draw for a trip to see some of your favourite players in the city of your choice and more chances to win a jersey signed by an NHL player, as well as be entered into a draw for a one-year gym membership to GoodLife Fitness.

Serving as an official spokesperson for the 2013 NHLPA Beard-a-thon is former NHL player Brett MacLean who survived after his heart stopped during a pick-up hockey game last summer.

“This is a cause that is near and dear to me and I am excited to be involved with this year’s NHLPA Beard-a-thon,” said Brett MacLean, former NHL player for the Phoenix Coyotes and Winnipeg Jets. “I look forward to growing my own playoff beard while continuing to raise awareness of the dangers of heart disease and stroke through this campaign, together with the NHLPA and the Heart and Stroke Foundation.”

Thanks to hundreds of hockey-boosting beard growers, the NHLPA Beard-a-thon has raised over $300,000 during the previous two playoffs in support of the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s life-saving research and community programs. As a result of NHLPA Beard-a-thon fundraising in 2011, automated external defibrillators were placed in hockey arenas and recreation centres across the country. Last year, 27 NHL players grew playoff beards and participated in the NHLPA Beard-a-thon; and Jason Fabro, the top 2012 fundraiser, raised $8,343.47, winning a pair of jerseys signed by two of his favourite players and a trip to Montreal this season to watch NHL players in action.

Getting the stats on heart disease and stroke

PLUS (+)

MINUS (–)

Up to 80% of early deaths from heart disease and stroke are preventable.

Canadians can gain as many as 10 years of health by making lifestyle modifications: eating a healthy diet, being physically active, managing stress, being tobacco-free, and consuming alcohol in moderation.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation has invested $1.35 billion into heart disease and stroke research over the past 60 years.

Heart disease and stroke take one Canadian life every seven minutes.

Nine in ten Canadians have at least one risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

Heart disease and stroke are leading causes of death in Canada.

There are an estimated 50,000 strokes in Canada each year. That’s one stroke every 10 minutes. Up to 40,000 cardiac arrests occur each year in Canada. That’s one cardiac arrest every 12 minutes.

2012 NHLPA Beard-a-thon Grand Prize winner Jason Fabro shares his personal story and his outlook for the future http://youtu.be/YTqgsajpBgY.

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About the Heart and Stroke Foundation

The Heart and Stroke Foundation, a volunteer-based health charity, leads in eliminating heart disease and stroke, reducing their impact through the advancement of research and its application, the promotion of healthy living and advocacy. Healthy lives free of heart disease and stroke. Together we will make it happen. Heartandstroke.ca

The Foundation is asking all Canadians to Make Health Last by taking action today to give themselves, their friends and families longer, healthier, fuller lives. Take the Heart&Stroke risk assessment at makehealthlast.ca.

About the National Hockey League Players’ Association

The National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA), established in 1967, is a labour organization whose members are the players in the National Hockey League (NHL). The NHLPA works on behalf of the players in varied disciplines such as labour relations, product licensing, marketing, international hockey and community relations, all in furtherance of its efforts to promote its members and the game of hockey. In 1999, the NHLPA launched the Goals & Dreams fund as a way for the players to give something back to the game they love. Over the past 13 years, more than 60,000 deserving children in 30 countries have benefited from the players' donations of hockey equipment. NHLPA Goals & Dreams has donated more than $21-million to grassroots hockey programs, making it the largest program of its kind. For more information on the NHLPA, please visit www.nhlpa.com.